QR Code Reader
Scan a QR code with your camera or upload an image. URLs are shown safely — we never redirect automatically.
Camera access requires HTTPS and a one-time permission.
Result
Start the camera or drop a QR image. The decoded value will appear here — we never auto-open links.
What QR codes can contain
QR codes are just short text. ReadBarcode detects the most common categories and shows them in a structured view.
URL
Web links — shown for review, never auto-opened.
Plain text
Any short text payload, copied with one tap.
mailto: with optional subject and body.
Phone
tel: numbers ready to dial on mobile.
Wi-Fi
WIFI: payloads parsed into SSID, security and password.
Unknown
Anything else is shown as the raw decoded value.
Safe link handling
Malicious QR codes (sometimes called "quishing") can hide phishing links behind a friendly sticker. ReadBarcode never opens scanned URLs automatically. We show the full link and the host so you can verify the destination before clicking. External links open in a new tab with rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow".
Why a scratched QR code still scans
QR codes use Reed–Solomon error correction, so part of the code can be dirty, torn or covered by a logo and still decode. The chosen correction level sets how much damage is recoverable. If a code won't read, it's usually framing or focus — not missing data — so steady the camera and fill the frame before assuming the code is broken.
| Level | Recoverable | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| L (Low) | ~7% | Clean digital screens and pristine prints. |
| M (Medium) | ~15% | The common default for posters and packaging. |
| Q (Quartile) | ~25% | Codes that may pick up scuffs or a small logo overlay. |
| H (High) | ~30% | Harsh environments, stickers, or logo-in-the-middle designs. |
About the QR code reader
This QR code reader decodes QR codes from your camera or an uploaded image, all inside your browser. It recognises common QR payload types — URLs, plain text, Wi‑Fi credentials, email, phone and SMS — and shows them in a safe, readable format. We never redirect automatically; you choose whether to open a scanned link.
It's a deliberately small, focused QR scanner online: no signup, no tracking, no app store install required.
When to use it
- Reading a QR code on a poster, menu or product without opening your phone's app.
- Scanning a Wi‑Fi QR code at a café and copying the password manually.
- Checking a suspicious QR code (quishing) before opening the URL.
- Decoding a contact QR or SMS QR for review before acting on it.
- Testing QR codes you generated to make sure they encode the right payload.
How it works
- Pick camera or upload
Switch tabs depending on whether you have the code in front of you or as a file.
- Scan or drop
Point the camera at the QR or drop the image into the upload area.
- We categorize the payload
URL, text, Wi‑Fi, email, phone or SMS — each gets its own safe view.
- Inspect before acting
Verify the host, the SSID or the phone number before opening anything.
- Copy what you need
Copy the value or, for URLs, click through manually.
What to avoid
- Opening QR links blindly — quishing attacks rely on auto-redirect scanners.
- Trusting a QR code stuck over an existing one in public (common parking-meter scam).
- Assuming a Wi‑Fi QR is safe just because it scans — verify the SSID.
- Photographing QR codes at sharp angles or under heavy glare.
- Confusing a QR with a 1D UPC/EAN — use the barcode reader for product codes.
Tips & tricks
- Always check the URL host before you click through.
- On phones, hold steady about 10–15 cm from the code for a quick decode.
- For QR codes on screens, lower brightness slightly to remove reflections.
- If a code keeps failing, take a photo and use the upload tab instead.
- Use the copy button to paste a Wi‑Fi password straight into the settings app.